Torres News Thursday, 3 February 2022
Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.
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Time to help our neighbours
Our COVID columnist Ellen Mosby handing a bag of activity books to her neighbour’s child, Jayleah Morrison, 6, helping to keep her busy and occupied. More from Ellen inside!
For more on COVID-19 see Pages 4 & 5
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Newly elected Councillor faces COVID challenges Newly elected Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) Cr Mabalene Whap has had to hit the ground running working hard to protect her community from COVID-19 since her election in December last year. She said COVID-19 preparedness and the rise of cases has been challenging for communities and leaders to manage. She said her own community, Seisia, has had more than 20 cases since the beginning of 2022. Cr Whap said the challenges Seisia families faced were multiplied by existing issues around overcrowding. “Seisia’s number had increased due to majority of families living in overcrowded housing, which is a big issue throughout the Cape and Torres Strait,” she said. “It could be just one mistake and boom, its spreads like wildfire. “Isolation is putting stress over families who are isolated as they want to do the normal day to day activities but need to adapt to be safer as it becomes a norm.” Thankfully, she said, Seisia community members had been proactive against COVID-19 and were amongst the highest vaccinated community in the NPA. As of last week more than 98 per
cent of the population had gotten their first dose of the vaccine, and 78 per cent were double vaccinated. “I thank God for the high percentage of vaccinations to Seisia residents and it has prepared us for a time such as this and its finally arrived,” Cr Whap said. She said she would like to see more support for families and vulnerable community members across the region. “More support is needed for the families, such as shop delivery system, mental health and counselling support, as we may not know what the community needs,” she said. “These will be matters I will bring forward to the Local Disaster Management Group meetings.” Cr Whap said her inspiration to run for council, and the biggest influence on her leadership style, was her cousin Edna Mills (nee Gebadi). “My big cousin Edna inspired me to take on this role which she once had and in the favour of families in Seisia,” Cr Whap said. “She was a great leader. “She was humble, kind and gentle and had a gentle approach to everyone, always a smile on her face.” Cr Whap said as was her cousin, she was elected to carry out her own goals and vision for Seisia. Continued P2